Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Callie Byerly. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Callie, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.

The Risk We Took: Founding Move Club San Antonio

No one likes taking risks but sometimes the most difficult journeys are the most worth it. I, along with my partner, have put our financial risk to found Move Club San Antonio, a non-profit organization that aims at enhancing physical activity and mental health in our community.

The concept of Move Club SA was born from the desire to address the problems of financial poverty, physical inactivity and mental health that affects our society. In my position as a Senior Accounting Manager at the San Antonio Food Bank. I have seen with my own eyes the financial situation of many families.

At the same time, my partner who was actively engaged in community education and outreach could see the growing problem of mental health, financial hardships and physical inactivity in Texas. We knew that something had to be done, but that meant that we would have to create our own organization that’s how Move Club San Antonio was founded.

Financially we have risked everything. My partner made the ultimate sacrifice leaving a stable job. To pursuing grants, sponsorships and funding to make Move Club SA to grow. We have saved up for every event that we have hosted, every class that we have taught and every outreach that we have made from our own pockets. We have experienced financial difficulties and doubt, but we have not wavered from our goal of promoting health, and wellness and hope in the people of San Antonio.

My partner’s dedication to this cause has been wonderful to see. He has taken the biggest risk of all by believing in a dream that is for other people and at the expense of his own financial well-being. I am always encouraged by his determination to apply for grants and seek for sponsorships knowing that we are bringing positive change in people’s lives.
It has been a tough journey, but I know that when you do something for the greater good, the rewards are always a long way to go.

Callie, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Introducing Xavier and Callie as the Co-Founders of Move Club San Antonio:

At Move Club San Antonio, we are proud of offering people the opportunity to enhance their physical and mental wellness and to be part of a community. As co-founders, we started this initiative because we saw a critical need for accessible health and wellness programs that cater to people of all backgrounds, especially those facing financial hardship, physical inactivity, and mental health struggles.

1. Who We Are & How We Began:

The idea of starting the club was while working at the San Antonio Food Bank. Callie was the Senior Accounting Manager, and Xavier was the Community Educator. Through our work, we witnessed firsthand how financial hardships and a lack of access to wellness programs were negatively affecting people’s physical and mental well-being. We understood that the problem was not only providing resources, but also fostering an environment that would help people to take control of their health and become a part of a movement. That is how Move Club San Antonio was conceived.

2. What We Do and What Problems We Solve:

Move Club San Antonio provides free and wellness programs that combine physical activity with mental health support.
Community Fitness Events – Walks, runs, and group fitness and scheduled for monthly dates in different areas in San Antonio.

Mental Health & Wellness Workshops – Educational, resource, and support sessions to help people deal with stress, anxiety and other emotional issues.

Corporate & School Partnerships – Partnership with local companies to enhance workplace health and support young people’s fitness.

Social Connection & Inclusion – A place of connection where people of all ages and from all backgrounds can come to be physically active and look after their health.

3. So what makes us different?

Unlike traditional gyms or wellness programs, Move Club SA is a movement, not just a business. We don’t just focus on exercise—we focus on mental health, empowerment, and breaking down barriers to wellness. Our programs are designed to be inclusive, community-driven, and financially accessible so that everyone, regardless of income level, can participate.

4. What We Are Most Proud Of:

We are very proud of the results that we have been able to achieve in a very short time. The most beautiful thing has been watching people coming out of their shells, feeling confident and getting healthier. We have been able to grow our community quickly and we are still forming alliances with other local businesses.

5. What We Want People to Know About Move Club SA:

If you are looking for a place to be heard, to be accepted and to have fun while enhancing your physical and mental health, then Move Club SA is the place for you. At Move Club SA, we are certain that movement is medicine, and we are here to assist you to take the first step towards a better and healthier life. If it is a community walk, a fitness challenge or one of our wellness workshops, you will find a home here.

We’d love to hear about how you met your business partner.

I met my partner while working at the food bank. We were both going to employee events for physical activities. The first event we both went to was corporate cup in 2023. Then we started to see each other more at other events. Once we became good friends we started talking about a club for SAFB employees. We got confirmation from HR and went into a friendly competition with HR on who can get more applications to either the donut dash/alamo run or tough mudder. This is where we both realize how to engage people in physical activity in a fun way. The donut dash/ Alamo run won the friendly competition with 16 applicants while tough mudder had 5. After this event we set up monthly meetings to meet at blue star for runs or walks along the river walk. Then we shifted our focus with San Antonio residents on monthly walks and run and that is how we created move club San Antonio

Can you talk to us about how your funded your firm or practice?

Starting Move Club San Antonio was not just a hobby it was a leap of faith. When we first decided to create a community-based health and wellness organization, we knew that funding would be one of our biggest challenges. From the very beginning, we invested nearly all of our initial savings, while also competing in two funding competitions to secure additional financial support.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/moveclubsa/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61565070606786
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/105041920/admin/page-posts/published/

Image Credits

Image Credits:

Move Club San Antonio